'Haven't seen our MLA, but we'll vote'

Anjana Pradhan / TNN / Apr 12, 2006, 00:29 IST

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In this tiny hamlet, 12 km from Darjeeling, no one has seen the local MLA or MP in this Kurseong assembly constituency.

GHOOMBHANJYANG: Here's a poll story from Sri Lanka. Hold on. This Lanka isn't below the Indian peninsula, but a tiny hamlet, 12 km from Darjeeling. None here has seen the local MLA or MP in this part of Kurseong assembly constituency.
But hope springs. "I'll vote for my sons' future," says Bhakti Gurung. He isn't the only one who hasn't seen his leader.And he isn't the only one who still hopes. "The new leader will change this village."
Barring some youngsters, not many have seen the politicians they elect. Shanta Chhettri of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is the sitting MLA. But they expect their MLA to take care of them.
Gurung is in his seventies and has seen a lot. "But I've not seen GNLF boss Subash Ghisingh. He has never come here. Political workers come, but leaders seldom make Sri Lanka their port of call."

Part of a reserve forest, the village has about 14 houses and 30-odd voters. Spread over 2 km, the area was christened Sri Lanka in 1995. The vote here is split between Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, a breakaway from CPM, and GNLF.
The village lacks basic facilities. It doesn't even have a toilet. Drinking water is a problem. Nima, a villager, got a reservoir dug in 1999, but it just about suffices. There's hope in Namgyal Sherpa. "This time, we'll make them deliver. I want an MLA who cares."
Those who live here are mostly Sherpas, Gurungs and Thamis and work as labourers, carpenters and drivers. Only five work for the government, few are in the army.
"We don't know much about the world. But we're Indian citizens and that gives us right to vote. If my vote can help the village, then why not," says Dawa Nima, 38, who has never seen any other place.

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